Stove tile, attributed to the potter’s workshop of Emanuel Aeschlimann (1751-1832) based on family lore (Rittersaalverein Burgdorf, Inv. RS-4.0502). Measurements: 27 x 23 cm.

Andreas Heege, Andreas Kistler, Trudi Aeschlimann, 2025

With the exception of the Vögeli potters, none of the Burgdorf potters have yet been studied in detail. This is mainly due to the fact that we only have tiled stoves but no signed ceramic utility wares.

Thörigen, guesthouse, 1 Langenthalstrasse, tile bearing the name of the clients, a date and the signatures of the potter, Johann Heinrich Aeschlimann (1777-1828), and the stove painter, Johann Heinrich Egli from Aarau (1776–1852).

The extent of our knowledge can be found in two short papers published in the Burgdorf almanac (Heege 2017; Heege 2025).

Family tree of the Aeschlimann potters

Detail from an 1845 plan of the town of Burgdorf showing the area around the former Rütschelentor gate and Rütschelengasse lane. The numbers pinpoint the possible location of the Gammeter/Aeschlimann house on Milchgässli (1), the location of the Aeschlimann workshop prior to 1795 (2) and the location of the new property at 23 Rütschelengasse, directly in front of the demolished Rütschelentor gate (3).

Translation Sandy Haemmerle

References:

Heege 2017
Andreas Heege, Von Meisterstücken, Ofenkacheln und Leitungsröhren – Die Hafner Aeschlimann in Burgdorf, in: Burgdorfer Jahrbuch 84, 2017, 19-48.

Heege 2025
Andreas Heege, Ein neu entdeckter Kachelofen der Hafnerei Aeschlimann aus dem Jahr 1829, in: Burgdorfer Jahrbuch 92, 2025, 11-22.